It’s late in the 1st quarter and Randy Foye is 3/3 from 3-point land. Also, someone on Twitter just linked out an article on Eric Bledsoe recently playing better. I find myself inspired.

To the various NBA statistical websites! (I’ll keep it short sense most people seem to like that and I’m also trying to watch the game).

Randy Foye’s 3-point shooting before the All-Star Break: 33.6%.

Randy Foye’s 3-point shooting since the All-Star Break: 38.6%.

That’ll do, Randy. That’ll do.

On the Eric Bledsoe end, he’s been solid recently. In his last 5 games, he’s assisted way less than you would expect in terms of him being a guy drafted to play PG, and also his turnover rate has been mediocre for a game-controlling point guard and horrid for what he really is — a shoot-first point guard defensive specialist that cannot shoot consistently from range but can bring the ball up the floor and push in transition.

The main thing about Bledsoe so far in his career for me is that he isn’t all that well utilized in the halfcourt offensively (although he can have at least a neutral impact there if the team finds a way to get him slashing off-ball more, I think), but he kills in transition. Also, as I type, he’s killing the Kings’ defense by driving and dishing. It is important to note that the Kings are a terrible defensive team and basically had Jimmer Fredette out on the floor trying to cover him, but still. These are relatively obvious statements, but sometimes there’s no hidden secret in regards to a player’s performance

He’s also very active and capable physically on D (and the numbers bear it out in terms of defensive rating with him on the floor), but he also still sometimes has foul issues due to his aggression. Still, he’s a great hope for the future in terms of the Clippers’ perimeter D.

Let me temper all of this by saying that this sample is only 15 minutes per game over the course of 5 games. If you look back 10 games, things are basically the same as they ever were for EB. Never the less, I think we can see a positive impact-making role for him, and that’s excellent news for everyone.

Why am I talking about this? The Clippers have needed role players to step up all season long, and we might be witnessing that as the playoffs approach. Yippee!

I’ve lost it in my Twitter timeline, sadly. I think it was an LA Times thing from a couple of days ago.

joeluis323

this team is sharpening their weapons for playoff time! I recall VDN asking Blake to shoot them jumpers eventhough they weren’t falling and told him that they’ll be needing his shooting come playoff time.

Tim

The Foye-factor is in full effect. When the Butler did for double digits, when the Sonic is booming, and when you kick in the Foye-factor, the Clippers are unbeatable.

Tim

Funny how we’ve been without a Hall of Famer for most of the season when Chauncey went down, and those guys down the hall lose the rapist for one night on the road, and the wheels fall off. You can keep the battle of LA, but the division is ours! These next 3 games on the road will (Metal Matty?) forever remove the paper-tiger label from us. These next 3 games, we earn our stripes. From this day forward, we go from being the huntee, to being hunted. Go Clippers!

MV22

How does Nick Flynt qualify as a basketball writer/blogger/analyst. In describing Bledsoe he should keep in mind that EB is 20, played one year out of position at Kentucky and played one partial season in the pros. All you can take from it is his upside and nobody knows how high that can be. RIGHT NOW he has the potential to be an X factor for the Clippers off the bench with what he brings even with the turnovers. Of course, hopefully he stays more in control as each game comes. If he can give a replica of last night every night from here on, the Clippers have a chance to go very far in the playoffs. What he’s going to become down the line is an open question just as it is with DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. The upside potential for all three is very high. I’ll take my chances with them in the playoffs this year and look forward to bright futures for all three of them.